Treadmill

ABSTRACT

A treadmill comprising an endless running surface extending between and movable around a plurality of rollers, and one or more protuberances protruding from the running surface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment and in particular to exercise treadmills.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Exercise treadmills are widely used for various purposes. Exercise treadmills are, for example, used for performing walking or running aerobic-type exercise while the user remains in a relatively stationary position. Exercise treadmills may also be used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. For all of these purposes, the person on the exercise treadmill normally performs an exercise routine at a relatively steady and continuous level of physical activity.

[0003] Exercise treadmills typically have an endless running surface that extends between and moves around two pulleys at each end of the treadmill. The running surface may comprise a belt of a rubber-like material, or alternatively, a number of slats positioned substantially parallel to one another attached to one or more bands, which are extended around the pulleys. The belt or band is usually relatively thin. The belt may be driven by a motor rotating one of the pulleys. The speed of the motor may be adjusted by the user so that the level of exercise can be adjusted to simulate running or walking as desired. Alternatively, the belt may be driven by the force of the human using the treadmill.

[0004] Treadmills may be provided with handlebars for the user to hold as he/she exercises thereon. Treadmills are commercially available that have various electronic devices that measure and display parameters related to the user's output, such as but not limited to, a speedometer, an odometer or ergometer for measuring the speed, distance “traveled” or energy consumed, respectively, of the user. Many current exercise treadmills also have the ability to provide a variable incline to the treadmill.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention seeks to provide a novel treadmill that may enhance the range of exercises that were heretofore not possible with prior art treadmills, as is described more in detail hereinbelow.

[0006] There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a treadmill comprising an endless running surface extending between and movable around a plurality of rollers, and one or more protuberances protruding from the running surface. The protuberances may be arranged in a repeating or non-repeating pattern.

[0007] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention at least two of the protuberances may be of generally equal (or alternatively, unequal) size or shape.

[0008] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the at least one protuberance may be detachable and attachable to the running surface.

[0009] Still further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the at least one protuberance may be adjustable in height with respect to the running surface.

[0010] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the at least one protuberance may be formed by a pusher element that selectively pushes against an underside of the running surface.

[0011] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a display may display a position of the at least one protuberance. A sensor may sense a position of the at least one protuberance. A controller may control an operation of the treadmill.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a treadmill constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0014]FIG. 2 is a simplified pictorial, partially cutaway illustration of a pusher element that selectively pushes against an underside of a running surface of the treadmill FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIGS. 3A and 3B are simplified side-view illustrations of the pusher element of FIG. 2, respectively before and during pushing against the underside of the running surface of the treadmill FIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a simplified illustration of another pusher element, which may comprise an inflatable pocket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a simplified illustration of yet another pusher element, which may comprise one or more magnetic elements, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0018]FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of another running surface, which may be used with the treadmill, constructed and operative in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the running surface may comprise a hollow bladder filled with a pourable material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which illustrates a treadmill 10, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Treadmill 10 may comprise an endless running surface 12 extending between and movable around a plurality of rollers 14. It is noted that the term “running surface” does not mean that treadmill 10 may be used only for running, rather it is a general term that encompasses any kind of gait, such as but not limited to, running, walking, strolling, jumping and the like. The weight of the user and of running surface 12 between the end rollers 14 may be supported by any convenient method, such as but not limited to, additional rollers positioned below running surface 12 or a low-friction panel or deck below running surface 12. Running surface 12 may be either driven by the force generated by the user, or by a motor 16 rotating one or more rollers 14. The motor speed may be adjusted by the user.

[0021] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, one or more protuberances 18 may protrude from a foot-contacting side of running surface 12. Protuberances 18 may be formed of any suitable material (e.g., plastic, rubber or metal) and may of any size or shape. Protuberances 18 may be of equal or unequal sizes and shapes, or a combination thereof. Protuberances 18 may be arranged in a repeating (e.g., orderly) or non-repeating (e.g., random) pattern.

[0022] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, protuberances 18 may be formed as an integral part of running surface 12. Alternatively or additionally, protuberances 18 may detachable and attachable to running surface 12. For example, protuberance 18 may be provided with a fastener, such as but not limited to, a threaded fastener, snap-on fastener, or VELCRO fastener, and running surface 12 may be provided with a complementary fastening device for fastening protuberance 18 thereto, such as but not limited to, a threaded hole for receiving the threaded fastener, a complementary snap-on fastener, or a VELCRO surface to which the VELCRO fastener adheres. In the example of the threaded or snap-on fastener, running surface 12 may be provided with predetermined attachment points for attaching the protuberances 18 thereto. In the example of the VELCRO fastener, the protuberances 18 may be placed anywhere on the VELCRO surface. In any case, the user may decide where to place the protuberances 18.

[0023] Reference is now made to FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B, which illustrate another kind of protuberance in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the protuberances may be formed by a pusher element 20 that selectively pushes against an underside of running surface 12. One example of pusher element 20 comprises a cam rotated by a motor 22. As pusher element 20 rotates in the direction of an arrow 24 (FIG. 2), pusher element 20 pushes running surface 12 upwards, as indicated by arrow 26 in FIG. 3B, thereby forming a localized protuberance in running surface 12. In this manner, the height of the protuberance may be controlled or adjusted by the amount of lift provided by pusher element 20.

[0024] It is noted that this is just one example of pusher element 20, and the invention is not limited to this example. For example, pusher element 20 may comprise a linear actuator that selectively raises a rod that pushes against the underside of running surface 12, or a pneumatic or hydraulic device that selectively pushes against localized zones on the underside of running surface 12 with pressurized fluid.

[0025] Another example of pusher element 20 is illustrated in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, pusher element 20 may comprise an inflatable pocket 40, which may be selectively inflatable and deflatable or may be constantly inflated. When inflatable pocket 40 is inflated, it pushes running surface 12 upwards, as indicated by arrow 41 in FIG. 4, thereby forming a localized protuberance in running surface 12.

[0026] Yet another example of pusher element 20 is illustrated in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, pusher element 20 may comprise one or more first magnetic elements 42, which cooperate with one or more second magnetic elements 44 disposed on one or more places on the underside of running surface 12. Depending on their polarity, the magnetic elements 42 and 44 may repel one another so as to push running surface 12 upwards, as indicated by arrow 45 in FIG. 4, thereby forming a localized protuberance in running surface 12. Alternatively, the magnetic elements 42 and 44 may attract one another so as to pull running surface 12 downwards, as indicated by arrow 46 in FIG. 4, thereby forming a protuberance that protrudes from the underside of running surface 12 and forming a depression 48 on the foot-contacting side of running surface 12.

[0027] Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which illustrates another running surface 60, which may be used with treadmill 10, constructed and operative in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Running surface 60 may comprise a hollow bladder 62, constructed of any convenient material used for conventional running surfaces in treadmills. Bladder 62 may be filled with a pourable material 64, such as but not limited to, water, oil, sand or flour, for example. Such a running surface may form protuberances and depressions during use thereof.

[0028] Referring again to FIG. 1, a controller 30 may be provided for controlling operation of treadmill 10, such as but not limited to, varying the speed of running surface 12, or controlling the amount of lift provided by pusher element 20 in the embodiment of FIG. 2. Treadmill 10 may comprise a display 32 that displays various information to the user. For example, display 32 may display the positions of protuberances 18, as seen in FIG. 1. The positions of protuberances 18 may be determined by controller 30 based on whether the protuberances 18 were set at predefined places on running surface 12 or whether the user decided where to place them or whether the protuberances were randomly generated, such as by pusher element 20 of the embodiment of FIG. 2. A sensor 34 may be provided to sense the positions of protuberances 18, especially useful if the protuberances 18 are randomly placed. Sensor 34 may comprise, without limitation, an optical sensor, e.g., a CCD (charge coupled device) or electric eye, placed above and viewing down upon running surface 12, or a sensor that senses the movement of pusher element 20.

[0029] Treadmill 10 may be used in a wide variety of exercise activities. For example, the user may try to avoid stepping on the protuberances 18 as they pass by his/her feet, thereby enhancing the user's agility. As another example, the user may on purpose step on protuberances 18, which may improve proprioceptive and kinesthetic abilities of the user. The user may look at display 32 as he/she tries to avoid stepping on (or tries deliberately to step on) protuberances 18.

[0030] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the features described hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof which would occur to a person of skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A treadmill comprising: an endless running surface extending between and movable around a plurality of rollers; and at least one protuberance protruding from said running surface.
 2. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein said at least one protuberance protrudes from a foot-contacting side of said running surface.
 3. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein said at least one protuberance protrudes from an underside of said running surface and forms a depression on a foot-contacting side of said running surface.
 4. The treadmill according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said protuberances protruding from said running surface.
 5. The treadmill according to claim 4, wherein said protuberances are arranged in a repeating pattern.
 6. The treadmill according to claim 4, wherein said protuberances are arranged in a non-repeating pattern.
 7. The treadmill according to claim 4, wherein at least two of said protuberances are of generally equal size.
 8. The treadmill according to claim 4, wherein at least two of said protuberances are of generally unequal size.
 9. The treadmill according to claim 4, wherein at least two of said protuberances are of generally equal shape.
 10. The treadmill according to claim 4, wherein at least two of said protuberances are of generally unequal shape.
 11. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein said at least one protuberance is detachable and attachable to said running surface.
 12. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein said at least one protuberance is adjustable in height with respect to said running surface.
 13. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein said at least one protuberance is formed by a pusher element that selectively pushes against an underside of said running surface.
 14. The treadmill according to claim 1, further comprising a display operative to display a position of said at least one protuberance.
 15. The treadmill according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor operative to sense a position of said at least one protuberance.
 16. The treadmill according to claim 1, further comprising a controller operative to control an operation of said treadmill.
 17. The treadmill according to claim 13, wherein said pusher element comprises an inflatable pocket.
 18. The treadmill according to claim 13, wherein said pusher element comprises at least one first magnetic element which cooperates with at least one second magnetic element disposed on an underside of said running surface.
 19. The treadmill according to claim 1, wherein said running surface comprises a hollow bladder filled with a pourable material. 